Compositions comprising elemental metals and uses therefor

ABSTRACT

The invention provides compositions and devices for altering biological field effects and methods for their use in therapeutic and agricultural applications. In particular, the invention provides compositions including one or more elemental metals coated with one or more non-conducting or semi-conducting materials and methods for their application to animals (including humans) and/or plants.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from U.S.provisional application Ser. No. 60/687,179 filed Jun. 3, 2005, theentire content of which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the invention relate to topical compositions that affectbiological processes. In particular, aspects of the invention relate totopical compositions for treating injuries, diseases, and pain inanimals including humans. Aspects of the invention also relate totopical compositions that modify certain features of plant physiology.

BACKGROUND

Creams and ointments containing certain metals have been used on humansand other animals as protective materials (e.g., sun creams) and fortreating a variety of ailments (e.g., rashes and infections). Examplesinclude creams containing copper sulfate.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the invention provide compositions comprising one or moreelemental metals and methods of their use for impacting biologicalprocesses in animals and/or plants. Aspects of the invention are based,in part, on the discovery that certain configurations of elementalmetals have surprising effects on many biological processes. Inparticular, compositions comprising one or more elemental metalstructures that are mixed and/or coated with one or more non-conductingand/or semi-conducting materials may have significant therapeutic and/oragricultural uses. According to aspects of the invention, certainelemental metal compositions may interact with electrical fields (e.g.,electrostatic and/or electromagnetic fields) associated with livingbiological systems (e.g., cells, tissue, organs, organisms, etc.) andthis interaction can be used to alter certain biological processes. Incontrast to compositions that deliver metal ions for direct chemicalinteractions with biological processes and molecules, aspects of thepresent invention provide compositions with electrostatic and/orelectromagnetic properties that may impact a biological systemindirectly through electrostatic and/or electromagnetic field effectsthat do not require direct contact with the biological system.Accordingly, although compositions of the invention may be applied to abiological surface (e.g., skin) in the form of a cream or ointment,compositions of the invention also may be effective when put in closeproximity with a biological surface (e.g., the composition may be in anenclosure or container that is placed on or near a biological system).

In one aspect, compositions of the invention include a plurality ofconducting elemental metal particles (e.g., balls, beads, powder,nanoparticles, etc.) that are separated from each other by a matrix ofnon-conducting or semi-conducting material. In one embodiment, theseparating matrix material may be in the form of solid particles thatare mixed with the elemental metal particles (e.g., in the form of a drymixture). In another embodiment, the separating matrix material may bein the form of a coating that can be mixed with or applied to theelemental metal particles. The coating may be mixed or applied in aviscous, liquid, or aerosol form. It should be appreciated that a matrixmay include a combination of solid particles and coating(s). Theresulting composition may be a dry, viscous, or wet compositiondepending on the intended use. For example, the composition may be asolid, liquid, grainy, semi-solid, waxy, oily, or watery compositioncomprising elemental metal particles at least some of which areseparated from each other by a matrix of non-conducting and/orsemi-conducting material. According to one aspect of the invention, theseparation of the conducting elemental metal particles produces certainelectrical (e.g., electrochemical) properties that can interact withliving biological systems and alter the nature and/or magnitude (e.g.,intensity, speed, etc.) of certain biological processes. It should beappreciated that the nature, dimensions, and relative amounts of theelemental metal and the matrix materials may alter the electricalproperties of a composition and may be optimized for a particularbiological application.

Accordingly, one aspect of the invention provides a biologically activeelemental metal composition including one or more elemental metalparticles within a matrix of non-conducting or semi-conducting material.In one embodiment, the matrix may be a coating material that is disposedaround at least a fraction of the surface area of the particulateelemental metal(s). In one embodiment, the matrix may be a particulatematerial that is mixed with the elemental metal particles and thatseparates at least a fraction of the elemental metal particles from eachother. For example, the material may be a semi-conducting material. Thematrix material may be a silicon dust, sulfur, boron, fiberglass, orother suitable material.

In another aspect, the invention provides a solid biologically activeelemental metal composition including elemental metal volumes dispersedwithin a solid matrix of non-conducting and/or semi-conducting material.

Aspects of the invention include using one or more elemental metalcompositions to impact one or more biological processes. An elementalmetal composition may be used in an amount and for a time sufficient toobtain a particular biological outcome. Biological applications includemedical, veterinary, and agricultural applications as described herein.It should be appreciated that different amounts and or exposure timesmay be appropriate for different applications. Effective and/or optimalcompositions and exposure conditions (including amount and/or time ofexposure) may be determined for any particular application based on thedescription and examples provided herein.

In some embodiments, the invention provides a body surface (external)appliance or device constructed to fit a certain body part andcontaining a compound that is specifically formulated to consist ofmicroscopic capacitors that respond to and resonate with naturallyoccurring electrical fields (e.g., fields of nerve and/or body tissue).

Accordingly, aspects of the invention may include non-invasive methods,compositions, and devices, for reducing the severity ofpain/inflammation/irritation, delaying the onset ofpain/inflammation/irritation, reducing the duration ofpain/inflammation/irritation, maintaining or increasing mobility,reducing or preventing the use of topical creams or other medication(e.g., pain killers, anti-inflammatory medications, etc., or anycombination thereof), increasing the quality of life (e.g., activityand/or mobility) of a patient, and/or delaying or postponing an invasivesurgical procedure (e.g., for pain remediation).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a composition including elemental metal particleswithin a matrix of non-conducting or semi-conducting material (thecomposition as shown includes air pockets, however, in other embodimentsa composition may have few or no air pockets).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the invention relate to metal containing compositions anddevices that impact biological processes. Aspects of the invention arebased, in part, on the discovery that certain compositions including oneor more elemental metals can be used to alter biological processes byexposing a biological tissue to the composition(s). The inventionprovides, in part, biologically active compositions including one ormore elemental metals referred to herein as elemental metalcompositions. In certain aspects, the elemental metal(s) are provided inparticulate form. In certain aspects, the elemental metal(s) may becoated with one or more non-conducting or semi-conducting materials. Inone aspect, elemental metal compositions of the invention may act ascapacitors. In one aspect, elemental metal compositions may have a fieldeffect (e.g., an electrostatic field effect and/or an electromagneticfield effect) on biological tissue. In one aspect, elemental metalcompositions may stabilize a biological process when exposed to abiological tissue (e.g., through surface exposure). In one aspect,elemental metal compositions may alter a biological process when exposedto a biological tissue (e.g., through surface exposure).

Certain aspects of the invention include elemental metal particles thatare contained within a matrix such that the particles (or a fractionthereof) are separated from each other by the matrix material. In oneaspect, the matrix includes one or more non-metallic coating materials(e.g., materials that can form a coating or film on the surface of theelemental metal particles) to enhance the biological effects of thecomposition. In another aspect, the matrix includes one or moreparticulate materials (e.g., powders, grains, etc.) that can be mixedwith the elemental metals to enhance the biological effects of thecomposition. A coating and/or particulate matrix material may be lessconducting than an elemental metal particle (e.g., a matrix coating orparticle may be non-conducting or semi-conducting). Accordingly, acomposition of the invention may have non-uniform conductivity thatcontributes to its capacitor and/or field effect properties. The size ofthe elemental metal particles may affect the capacitor and/or fieldeffect properties of a biologically effective composition. The averagedistance between elemental metal particles in the composition also mayaffect the capacitor and/or field effect properties of a biologicallyeffective composition. In one embodiment, a composition containingsmaller elemental metal particles has a greater area of surface contactbetween the elemental metal(s) and the matrix material(s) resulting instronger capacitor and/or field effects. It should be appreciated thatthe capacitor and/or field effects of an elemental metal compositionalso may be affected by the type of elemental metal(s) and matrixmaterial(s) that are used. In addition, the presence of moisture and/oroxidized metals also may affect (e.g., reduce) the capacitor and/orfield effects. Accordingly, a matrix material (e.g., coating) also maybe used to exclude moisture (e.g., water) and/or protect the elementalmetal(s) from oxidation.

Compositions of the invention may be used to impact physiologicalprocesses in animals (e.g., humans) and/or plants. Accordingly,compositions including elemental metals may be used for therapeuticpurposes to treat certain conditions in humans and/or other animals. Inother embodiments, compositions including elemental metals may be usedfor agricultural purposes to promote or stabilize certain physiologicalstates in plants.

In one aspect, compositions of the invention may be provided in the formof a topical preparation that can be applied to or contacted to abiological surface (e.g., skin of an animal or surface of a plant). Incertain aspects, compositions of the invention may be provided in acontainer that is adapted to be exposed or contacted to a biologicalsurface (e.g., without the surface being directly contacted by theelemental metal composition). In one embodiment, the elemental metalcomposition may be formed (e.g., molded) into a solid device having adefined shape (e.g., a shape adapted for contact with a biologicalsurface). In another embodiment, one or more elemental metal(s) may beprovided in particulate form and contained within a device. For example,the elemental metal(s) may be provided in a matrix or in acontainer/sheath. In one embodiment, the elemental metal(s) may form asingle solid structure. In another embodiment, the elemental metal(s)may be in the form of two or more structures having similar or differentshapes. In one embodiment, the elemental metal(s) are particulate (e.g.,balls, filings, grains, granules, nanoparticles, etc.). The particlesall may be of approximately the same size. Alternatively, the particlesmay range in size. The average size of an elemental metal particles maybe smaller or larger than the average size of a matrix particle (e.g.,the ratio of elemental metal to matrix particle may be between 1/100 and100/1, for example between 1/10 and 10/1). However, higher, lower, orintermediate ratios may be used. Similarly, the ratio of elemental metal(e.g., by weight or volume) to matrix material (particulate or not) maybe between about 1/100 and 100/1 (e.g., between 1/10 and 10/1, about 1/5to 5/1, or about 1/2 to 2/1, or about 1/1).

In some aspects, an elemental metal composition may have a field effecton biological tissue (e.g., it may alter an electrostatic and/orelectromagnetic field of a biological tissue). The field effect may beused to impact one or more biological processes. As used herein, abiological process may be impacted if it is altered in any manner. Forexample, a process may be enhanced (e.g., the amplitude, degree, and/orspeed of the process may be increased). In other embodiments, a processmay be suppressed (e.g., the amplitude, degree, and/or speed of theprocess may be reduced). In further embodiments, a process may beestablished, redirected, or terminated.

In one aspect, compositions of the invention may be used therapeuticallyto treat certain conditions in animals (e.g., humans, pets, agriculturalanimals, etc.). Conditions that can be treated include skin diseases,pain, injuries, and other conditions described herein.

In another aspect, compositions of the invention may be used inagriculture and/or horticulture to alter certain aspects of plantphysiology. In certain embodiments, plant growth, seed germination,fruit and/or vegetable ripening, and/or other aspects of plantphysiology may be modified as described herein (e.g., to preserve fruitsor vegetables, to increase seed germination, etc.).

Elemental metal compositions of the invention may be prepared and/orpackaged in different formulations and/or configurations depending ontheir intended use as described herein.

The following description provides details and examples of differentelemental metals, coatings, and devices of the invention along withuseful applications for animals and plants. It should be appreciatedthat different applications of the invention may involve differentelemental metals, coatings, and/or containers. In addition, it should beappreciated that a predetermined electrostatic and/or electromagneticfield effect may not be the only factor that influences or determinesthe type of metal, coating, and/or container that is used for aparticular application. For example, properties such as toxicity,availability, cost, ease of use, and other properties described herein,or any combination thereof may inform the choice of appropriatemetal(s), coating(s), and/or container(s).

Elemental Metals:

Aspects of the invention relate to compositions and devices comprisingcertain configurations of one or more elemental metals and methods fortheir use. Applicant has discovered that certain configurations ofelemental metals may have therapeutic and/or biological effect(s) whencontacted to a biological tissue surface. In one embodiment, and withoutwishing to be bound by theory, therapeutic and/or biological effect(s)are related to a capacitor and/or field effect of the elemental metalcomposition and not to specific chemical interactions between theelemental metal(s) and one or more biological molecules within abiological tissue.

As used herein, an elemental metal may be a transition metal, ametalloid, or other metal that can be stable as a free metal in nature.A transition metal may be scandium, titanium, vanadium, chromium,manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, yttrium, zirconium,niobium, molybdenum, technetium, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, silver,cadmium, hafnium, tantalum, tungsten, rhenium, osmium, iridium,platinum, gold, mercury, rutherfordium, dubnium, seaborgium, bohrium,hassium, meitnerium, ununnilium, unununium, or ununbium. Transitionmetals have valence electrons in more than one shell, and can exist indifferent oxidation states. Transition metals include metals that canproduce a magnetic field (iron, cobalt, and nickel). A metalloid may beboron, silicon, germanium, arsenic, antimony, tellurium, or polonium.Some metalloids are semi-conductors (silicon and germanium). Othermetals that can exist as free metals include aluminum, gallium, indium,tin, thallium, lead, and bismuth. These metals only have valenceelectrons in their outer shell and do not exist in more than oneoxidation state.

In contrast, alkali metals and alkaline earth metals are not present asfree metals in nature and are not elemental metals as used herein.Alkali metals include lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, andfrancium. Alkali metals are reactive metals with one electron in theirouter shell and they readily lose this electron in an ionic bond withother elements. Alkaline earth metals include beryllium, magnesium,calcium, strontium, barium, and radium. Alkaline earth metals are alsovery reactive metals and are not stable as free metals in nature.

According to the invention, any elemental metal or combination ofelemental metals may be included in a biologically effective compositionif it imparts suitable capacitor and/or field effect(s) to thecomposition (e.g., when coated with one or more non-metallic materials).However, it should be appreciated that certain biochemical propertiesmay be considered and evaluated when choosing an elemental metal, eventhough the biological effectiveness of the composition does not dependon specific chemical interactions between the elemental metal and one ormore biological molecules. For example, a composition preferably is notharmful (e.g., non-toxic), particularly if it is not contained within aphysical device that protects an animal, plant, or the environment fromexposure to the composition. According to one aspect of the inventionone or more non-harmful metals may be chosen. In another aspect, metalswith different electrochemical properties may be combined to produce acomposition with an appropriate capacitor and/or field effect whencontacted with biological tissue. In yet another aspect, an elementalmetal composition may include only (or primarily) elemental metal(s)that are naturally present in a biological tissue (animal or plant) thatis being treated. For example, a composition for use with a human mayinclude one or more of iron, copper, magnesium, and selenium. In oneembodiment, the relative amounts of two or more elemental metals in acomposition may be similar (e.g., the same or about the same) as theirrelative amounts in a biological tissue. However, in other aspects anyone or more elemental metals may be included in a composition of theinvention. In one embodiment, any two or more different elemental metals(e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10-15, 15-20, or more) may becombined. Two or more elemental metals may be included as a mixture oras an alloy. A composition may contain a combination of one or moreelemental metal(s), and one or more alloys. Alternatively, a compositionmay contain only elemental metal(s) or only alloy(s). Ratios ofdifferent metals (e.g., in mixtures or in alloys) in differentcompositions of the invention may range from 1:1000 to 1000:1. However,higher, lower, or intermediate ratios may be used (e.g., 100:1, 50:1,10:1, 5:1, 1:1, 1:5, 1:10, 1:50, 1:100, etc.). It should be appreciatedthat any combination of two or more (e.g., 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,etc.) different elemental metals may be used. For example, a compositionmay include iron, zinc, copper, aluminum, silicon, or any combination oftwo or more thereof (e.g., all thereof). In some embodiments, acomposition may include iron and zinc. In some embodiments, acomposition may include iron and copper. In some embodiments, acomposition may include, zinc and copper. Any one of these compositionsalso may include aluminum, silicon, or a combination or aluminum orsilicon. In some embodiments, the ratio of iron to zinc may be betweenabout 10/1 and about 1/1 (e.g., 10/1, 5/1, 2/1, 1/1) or any higher,lower, or intermediate ratio. In some embodiments, the ratio of zinc tocopper may be between about 10/1 and about 1/1 (e.g., 10/1, 5/1, 2/1,1/1) or any higher, lower, or intermediate ratio. In some embodiments,the ratio of copper to aluminum may be between about 10/1 and about 1/1(e.g., 10/1, 5/1, 2/1, 1/1) or any higher, lower, or intermediate ratio.In some embodiments, the ratio of aluminum to silicon may be betweenabout 10/1 and about 1/1 (e.g., 10/1, 5/1, 2/1, 1/1) or any higher,lower, or intermediate ratio. Any specific combination of the aboveratios may be used in a composition of the invention. For example, iron,zinc, copper, aluminum, and silicon may be present in any ratio of thefive elements relative to each other (for example, in relative order ofiron/zinc/copper/aluminum/silicon from about 10,000/1,000/100/10/1 toabout 1/1/1/1/1, e.g., about 16/8/4/2/1, about 20/4/2/2/1, about8/4/2/2/1, about 50/10/2/1/1, about 50/50/25/25/1, about 50/25/5/5/1, orany other combination of ratios described herein).

In certain aspects, a composition may include oxidized or reduced formsof elemental metal(s). However, in some embodiments, oxidized and/orreduced forms should not represent more than 50%, for example, not morethan 25%, not more than 20%, not more than 15%, not more than 10%, notmore than 5%, not more than 1%, not more than 0.1%, or not more than0.01% of the weight or volume of the elemental metal in the composition.

In certain aspects of the invention, a composition may include metalsthat are non-elemental in addition to one or more elemental metals.However, in some embodiments the non-elemental metal(s) do notconstitute more than 50%, for example not more that 40%, 30%, 25%, 20%,15%, 10%, 5%, 1%, or 0.1% of the weight or volume of metal in thecomposition. Accordingly, the elemental metal(s) may represent more than50%, for example more than 60%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 99%, or99.9% of the weight or volume of metal in the composition. However, thetotal elemental metal(s) may represent from more than 99% to less than1% of the total weight or volume of a composition (e.g., about 90%, 75%,50%, 25%, 20%, 15%, 10%, 5%, 1%, or more or less).

Accordingly, in some embodiments, a composition or device of theinvention includes only or at least 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%. 90%, 95%, 99%,or more non-ionic metal. In some embodiments, an elemental metal isprovided in an inert or non-reactive matrix or coating (e.g.,carbonaceous) to prevent the production of ionic metals (e.g., borates,sulfates, etc.).

Particulate Forms

In one aspect, a composition of the invention includes one or moreelemental metals in particulate form. Accordingly, in some embodiments,an elemental metal is provided in an insoluble form within a matrix. Thediameter of a metal particle may range from several mms (e.g., 1 cm) toseveral nms. However, in certain embodiments bigger or smaller particlesmay be used. Accordingly, a metal particle may be about 1 mm indiameter, about 100 microns in diameter, about 10 microns in diameter,about 1 micron in diameter, about 100 nms in diameter, about 10 nms indiameter, about 1 nm in diameter. A composition may contain from one todozens, hundreds, thousands, millions, billions or more particles perunit volume. The sizes of the particles in a preparation may be uniform(e.g., all having approximately the same diameter) or may be distributedacross a range of diameters (e.g., a narrow range with for example 90%of the particles within a two to ten fold range of diameter size, or abroader range with for example 90% of the particles within a 100 to1,000 fold range of diameter size). Accordingly, compositions of theinvention may include metal balls, metal filings, metal powders,nano-particles (e.g., particles between 0.1 to 10 nm in diameter). Inone embodiment, particles have a diameter that is less than about 100microns, for example less than about 50 microns, or less than about 10microns. For example, particles with a diameter of about 40 microns orless may be selected using a 325 mesh sieve which excludes particleswith a diameter greater than about 40 microns. It should be appreciatedthat the shape of the metal particles is not necessarily spherical. Ametal particle may be a sphere or approximated to a sphere in someembodiments. However, in other embodiments, a particle may be ovoid,elongated, rectangular, irregular, etc. It should be understood that thereference to a diameter in the context of a particle relates to anaverage dimension across the particle. In the context of a sphere, adiameter is the diameter of the sphere. In the context of aless-spherical, or non-spherical particle, a diameter refers to anaverage dimension of the particle (e.g., an average of the longestdistance, an average of the shortest distance, or an average of alldistances, between two sides of the particle).

Particles of different sizes may be obtained or prepared using anysuitable method. In one embodiment, particle sizes may be selected bysieving elemental metal particles using different meshes (e.g., 200mesh, 300 mesh, 325 mesh, etc.).

These and other aspects of different elemental metals that can be usedaccording to the invention are described in more detail below.

Matrix Materials (e.g., Coatings):

In one aspect of the invention, compositions and/or devices contain atleast one elemental metal coated with a layer of non-metallic material(e.g., a layer of one or more non-conducting or semi-conductingmaterials). In another aspect of the invention, compositions and/ordevices contain at least one elemental metal mixed with a preparation ofnon-metallic material (e.g., particles of one or more non-conducting orsemi-conducting materials). According to the invention, a matrix (e.g.,a coating) that separates at least a fraction (e.g., 100% or less, forexample, about 80%, 70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 5%, or less) ofthe elemental metal particles from each other may enhance one or moreelectrostatic and/or electromagnetic properties of the invention byincreasing the capacitance of an elemental metal preparation.

Coatings may be organic material(s) (e.g., organic waxes, etc.),synthetic material(s), or any combination thereof. Examples of suitablecoating materials include Vaseline, petroleum jellies, oils, beeswax,lanolin, etc.). It should be appreciated that certain materials may beused i) as coating materials to impart suitable electrical properties(e.g., conductance, field-effect, capacitance, etc.) on an elementalcomposition and/or ii) as mixture components to impart suitable physicalproperties (e.g., viscosity, malleability, etc.) on an elementalcomposition. For example, lanolin may be used as a coating and/or as anemulsifier. In some embodiments, a material (e.g., lanolin) may be usedprimarily for its physical effect on a composition (e.g., anemulsifier). In some embodiments, an oil (e.g., a mineral, animal,and/or a vegetable oil) may be used to modify one or more physicalproperties (e.g., to increase stickiness). In some embodiments, ananimal fat may be used as the matrix or may be added to a differentmatrix to modify one or more physical properties. In some embodiments,one or more other materials or compounds may be used to increase ordecrease the malleability, flexibility, and/or stickiness of acomposition. However, their effect on the electrical properties of thecomposition also should be considered (e.g., evaluated experimentally).

In one aspect, a preparation of elemental metal particles may be mixedwith particles of a non-conducting or semi-conducting material (e.g.,glass, silicone, wool, cotton, etc.). Any suitable ratio may be used. Inone embodiment, the size range of the particles of elemental metal maybe the same as that of the non-conducting or semi-conducting material.In one embodiment, the size range of the particles of elemental metalmay be different from that of the non-conducting or semi-conductingmaterial.

In one aspect, a composition may be viscous or semi-solid (e.g., waxy)at room temperature (or other temperature that is characteristic of theenvironment of use) so that it is easy to apply to a surface (e.g.,skin). However, in certain embodiments, a composition may be liquid atroom temperature (or other temperature that is characteristic of theenvironment of use). In yet other embodiments, a composition may besolid or grainy at room temperature (or other temperature that ischaracteristic of the environment of use). Liquid solutions may beparticularly useful for applying to surfaces where physical spreading ofa cream/ointment is not practical (e.g., for spreading/spraying overrelatively large areas (e.g., agricultural areas). However, solidcompositions also may be used in situations where a large number ofunits or volumes of an elemental metal composition may be dispersed overa large area (e.g., an agricultural area). Any form of composition maybe contained within an enclosure (e.g., a container such as a solidcontainer, a pouch, a sac, etc.). In embodiments, a composition of theinvention may be provided as an aerosol or other form that can bereadily dispersed over an area of interest (e.g., a spray that can besprayed onto a patient skin or a spray that can be sprayed over plantsin a greenhouse or on a field).

In one aspect, a coating is sufficiently malleable to be mixed with anelemental metal so that the coating covers at least a portion of theelemental metal surface thereby forming an interface between theelemental metal(s) and the coating material(s). In one embodiment, thecoating may cover between 1% and 100%, e.g., about 5%, about 10%, about15%, about 20%, about 25%, about 30%, about 35%, about 40%, about 45%,about 50%, about 55%, about 60%, about 65%, about 70%, about 75%, about80%, about 85%, about 90%, about 95%, or about 99% of the surface of theelemental metal (e.g., when inspected visually). FIG. 1 illustrates anexample of several metal particles that are covered with a coatingmaterial.

In one embodiment, an elemental metal may be covered with a coatingmaterial under conditions that are suitable for preparing a mixture withthe coating material covering the elemental material or a portionthereof (e.g., a wax may be mixed with elemental metal at a temperaturesufficiently high to melt the wax). The resulting preparationsubsequently may be used under different conditions (e.g., at a lowertemperature).

As with the elemental metals, different properties may be consideredwhen selecting an appropriate coating material. Properties may includeconductivity, toxicity, availability, malleability, stability, etc., orany combination of two or more thereof.

It should be appreciated that similar elements and considerations may beused when preparing a composition with a particulate matrix (or a matrixthat contains both particulate material and non-particulate coatingmaterial). In addition, the average size of matrix particles may besimilar or different from the average size of the elemental metalparticles in a composition. Furthermore, different ratios of elementalmetal particles to matrix particles may be used (e.g., about 1000:1;100:1; 10:1; 1:1; 1:10; 1:100; 1:1000; or higher, lower, or intermediateratios).

Accordingly, in different aspects of the invention, matrix materials maybe solid, liquid, particulate, non-particulate, or a combination of twoor more thereof.

Properties of Elemental Metals and Matrix Materials (e.g., CoatingMaterials):

Aspects of the invention may use different materials (e.g., elementalmetals and/or matrix materials) based on certain properties such astoxicity, availability, cost, etc. The following paragraphs describedifferent properties of materials including elemental metals and providegroupings of elemental metals and other materials based on propertiesthat may be useful for certain applications. It should be understoodthat different properties described herein for individual metals may beconsidered for compositions including only one elemental metal, amixture of two or more elemental metals, an alloy of two or more metals,or any combination of two or more thereof. However, certain metals maybe less toxic when in combination with other elements. For example,certain metals may be less toxic or hazardous when in an alloy than whenpresent as a pure metal.

In one aspect, safety and health considerations may be considered whenselecting or using a material or element. In one embodiment,compositions may include only non-hazardous and/or non-radioactivemetals (i.e., no hazardous and/or radioactive metals). In oneembodiment, compositions may include only non-hazardous and/ornon-radioactive alloys (e.g., alloys that contain no metals that areinherently hazardous and/or radioactive).

The hazardous properties of a metal may be rated according to HMIS(Hazardous Materials Information System). In one embodiment,non-hazardous metals are those with a health rating of 2 or lower(ratings typically range from 0-4).

In one embodiment, a composition of the invention does not contain anyof the following radioactive elements: technetium, bismuth, (metalloids)polonium and astatine, actinium, thorium, protactinium, uranium,neptunium, plutonium, americium, curium, berkelium, californium,einsteinium, fermium, mendelevium, nobelium, lawrencium, rutherfordium,dubnium, seaborgnium, bohrium, hassium, meitnerium, darmstadtium,unununium, ununbium, ununtrium, ununquadium, ununpentium, ununhexium andradioactive elements that are higher on the periodic table. However, oneor more such elements may be used in certain embodiments, for example byproviding them in a shielding container or device that reduces theamount of damage that may be caused by radiation. Also, certainradioactive metals emit a low energy radiation and may be used without ashielding container or device. For example, indium is only slightlyradioactive (beta decay), is not harmful, and may be useful incompositions and methods of the invention. Similarly, other slightlyradioactive metals may be used.

In one embodiment, a composition of the invention does not contain aspontaneous combustible or explosive solid element or an element withany other dangerous physical property. For example, individual metalswith Hazardous Material Information System (HMIS) ratings of 3 orgreater in flammability and other health properties may be excluded fromcompositions of the invention (except in the form of an alloy or mixturethat is not as physically dangerous). Examples of metals and alloys thatmay be physically dangerous include, Lanthanum, Manganese, Hafnium (10micron particles spontaneously ignite), Osmium, and Phosphorus.

Similarly, in certain embodiments metals that are generally (grossly)toxic may be excluded from compositions of the invention. Examples ofmetals that may be toxic to animal or plant life include (especially athigh concentrations) Hafnium, Tungsten, Manganese, Chromium, Osmium,Cobalt, Thallium, Phosphorus, Mercury, Arsenic, and Lead. However, inone embodiment, any of these metals may be non-toxic or less toxic whenused as a stable alloy (e.g., a manganese, chromium, or phosphorousalloy). Also, certain of these metals (e.g., manganese and cobalt) maybe important metals for the growth of some organisms (e.g., plants) andtherefore non-toxic when used in suitable amounts (e.g., relatively lowconcentrations).

Other toxic metals include those with multiple toxicities as determinedby Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Departmentof Environmental Protection (DEP), for example Cadmium, Hafnium,Antimony, Mercury, Arsenic, Lead, Osmium, and Cobalt. In otherembodiments, metals that are toxic when inhaled may be excluded (e.g.,Hafnium, Tungsten, Manganese, Osmium, Cobalt, Cadmium, Thallium,Phosphorus, Antimony, Arsenic, and Lead). In other embodiments, metalsthat are toxic when ingested orally may be excluded (e.g., Cobalt,Cadmium, Thallium, Phosphorus, Antimony, Arsenic, and Lead). In furtherembodiments, metals that are toxic when absorbed through the skin,and/or metals that are skin irritants, and/or metals that causeulcerations may be excluded. Examples of such metals include Hafnium,Manganese, Osmium, Cobalt, Thallium, Phosphorus, and Arsenic. In yetfurther embodiments, CNS toxic elements or alloys that contain theseelements may be excluded (e.g., Tungsten, Manganese (Parkinson's), Lead,Antimony, and Mercury). In other embodiments, toxic metals and/or alloysthat destroy mucosal membranes and/or skin may be excluded (e.g.,Chromium, Osmium, Thallium, and Phosphorus). In certain embodiments,metals that are toxic to plants may be excluded (e.g., Aluminum at highconcentrations). In other embodiments, carcinogen metals (e.g., asdefined by Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Food and DrugAdministration, or other organizations) may be excluded (e.g.,Zirconium, Chromium, Tungsten, Cobalt, Nickel, Cadmium, Thallium, andAlloy of Chromium-Nickel-Cobalt). However, it should be appreciated thatany one of more of these elements may be used if provided in a suitablecontainer or protective device that reduces any undesirable propertiesof the metals to an acceptable level in view of the anticipated exposureto animal (e.g., human) and/or plant.

According to aspects of the invention, nuisance metals may be excluded.However, in many embodiments nuisance metals may be used if the nuisancefactor does not outweigh the anticipated or observed physiologicalbenefit. Nuisance metals may have an HMIS rating of 2 on healthexposure. Non-limiting examples of nuisance metals include: Scandium(Flammability 2-powder, Health 1-inhalation, Reactivity 0); Yttrium(Flammability 3-powder spontaneous ignition, Health-1, Reactivity 0);Titanium (Flammability 3-powder, Health 1-inhalation, Reactivity 1);Vanadium (Flammability 0, Health 2-chronic inhalation, Reactivity 0)-isused in medical devices; Niobium (Flammability 0, Health 0, Reactivity0); Tantalum (Flammability 0, Health 1-inhalation, Reactivity 0);Molybdenum (Flammability 0, Health 0, Reactivity 0); Rhenium(Flammability 0, Health 0, Reactivity 0); Iron (Flammability 0,Health-ingestion 2, Reactivity 0); Ruthenium (Flammability 1, Health 1,Reactivity 0); Rhodium (Flammability 1, Health 1, Reactivity 0); Iridium(Flammability 1, Health 0, Reactivity 0); Nickel (low overall toxicityexcept on ingestion and then carcinogenic and reactivity is low);Palladium (Flammability 0, Health 1-inhalation, Reactivity 0); Platinum(Flammability 0, Health 1, Reactivity 0); Copper (Flammability 2-dust,Health 1, Reactivity 1); Silver (Flammability 2-powder, Health 1-skinabsorption-Argyrosis, Reactivity 1); Gold (Flammability 1-powder, Health1-ingestion, Reactivity 0); Zinc (Flammability 1-powder, Health 1-fumeingestion, Reactivity 0); Aluminum (Flammability 1-powder,Health-ingestion, Reactivity 2-exothermic with iron and water); Gallium(Flammability 0, Health 1-ingestion, Reactivity 0); Indium (Flammability0, Health 1-ingestion, Reactivity 0); and Tin (Flammability 3-powder,Health 2-inhalation, Reactivity 0).

Non-limiting examples of nuisance metalloids include: Boron(Flammability 3-powder spontaneous ignition, Health 2-toxic fumes ifburning & ingestion, Reactivity 0); Silicon (Flammability 0, Health1-inhalation, Reactivity 0); Germanium (Flammability 0, Health 0,Reactivity 0); and Tellurium (Flammability 0, Health 3-ingestion,inhalant, Reactivity 0). It should be appreciated that nuisancemetalloids may be used in certain embodiments if appropriate protectivemeasures are taken.

Non-limiting 1xamples of nuisance non-metals that may be used as amatrix (e.g., a coating) include Carbon (Flammability 1-powder Health 0,Reactivity 0); Sulfur (Flammability 1-powder, Health 1-ingestion,Reactivity 0); and Selenium (Flammability 1-powder, Health 1-inhalation,Reactivity 1).

In some aspects of the invention, compositions may exclude materials(e.g., metals) that cause acute inflammation or that are readilyabsorbed through the skin of an animal (e.g., a human). However, suchmetals may be used if they are used in low amounts or if they areprovided in a container or suitable device that protects the skin fromdirect contact with the metal. Non-limiting examples of such metalsinclude: Ruthenium (strongly stains skin); Nickel and Silver(Argyrosis).

According to aspects of the invention, useful elements (e.g., elementalmetals and alloys) that are readily available in particulate form and ata reasonable cost include: Yttrium, Titanium, Vanadium, Molybdenum,Iron, Nickel, Palladium, Copper, Silver, Zinc, Boron, Aluminum, Gallium,Indium (shot), Carbon, Silicon, Germanium, Tin, Sulfur, Selenium, andTellurium. Other useful metals that may be more expensive include:Scandium, Niobium, Tantalum, Rhenium, Ruthenium, Rhodium, Iridium,Platinum, and Gold.

According to aspects of the invention, the following useful elements andalloys may cause some/minor skin irritation (HMIS 0 or 1) in finelydivided form: Yttrium, Scandium, Titanium, Vanadium, Niobium, Tantalum,Molybdenum, Rhenium, Iron, Ruthenium, Rhodium, Iridium, Nickel,Palladium, Platinum, Copper, Silver, Gold, Zinc, Boron, Aluminum,Gallium, Indium, Silicon, Germanium, Tin, Sulfur, Selenium, andTellurium.

Elements that may be readily available in particulate or finely dividedpowder or nanoparticle forms include: Yttrium, Scandium, Titanium,Vanadium, Niobium, Tantalum, Molybdenum, Rhenium, Iron, Ruthenium,Rhodium, Iridium, Nickel, Palladium, Platinum, Copper, Silver, Gold,Zinc, Boron, Aluminum, Indium, Carbon, Silicon, Germanium, Tin, Sulfur,Selenium, and Tellurium (note that Gallium may be available assoft/liquid).

According to aspects of the invention, the following elements should beused with care to prevent ingestion by an animal (e.g., a human) orleaching into the environment: Yttrium, Scandium, Titanium, Vanadium,Tantalum, Molybdenum, Rhenium, Iron, Ruthenium, Rhodium, Iridium,Nickel, Palladium, Platinum, Copper, Silver, Gold, Zinc, Boron,Aluminum, Gallium, Indium, Carbon, Silicon, Germanium, Tin, Sulfur,Selenium, and Tellurium. Certain of these elements may be non-toxic oreven beneficial in low amounts but toxic in higher amounts (e.g.,vanadium which is an essential element required in low amounts for somebiological tissue or organisms including lower invertebrates, but oftentoxic in higher amounts). Niobium also should be used with care as itmay cross the placental barrier in animals.

In other aspects of the invention, the following elements may beparticularly useful for agricultural applications: Yttrium, Scandium,Titanium, Vanadium, Niobium, Tantalum, Molybdenum, Rhenium, Iron,Ruthenium, Rhodium, Iridium, Nickel, Palladium, Platinum, Copper,Silver, Gold, Zinc, Boron, Aluminum, Gallium, Indium, Carbon, Silicon,Germanium, Tin, Sulfur, Selenium, and Tellurium. For example, sodium,potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and sulfur may be essentialmacronutrients for certain plants. Chorine, iron, boron, manganese,zinc, copper, molybdenum, and nickel may be essential micronutrients forcertain plants. In addition, silicon, sodium, cobalt, and selenium maybe beneficial elements for certain plants.

Although less expensive and readily available elements (e.g., metals)may be selected, it should be appreciated that any of the metalsdescribed herein may be used in aspects of the invention. Examples ofelements that may be readily obtained and that are relativelyinexpensive in finely divided form include: Titanium, Vanadium,Molybdenum, Iron, Nickel, Palladium, Copper, Silver, Zinc, Boron,Aluminum, Indium, Carbon, Silicon, Germanium, Tin, Sulfur, Selenium, andTellurium. Examples of other elements that may be used but that are moredifficult to obtain and/or more expensive include: Yttrium, Scandium,Niobium, Tantalum, Rhenium, Ruthenium, Rhodium, Iridium, Platinum, Gold,and Gallium (soft).

In some aspects of the invention, elements and alloys that have FDAapproval may be selected for certain human applications. Examplesinclude: Titanium (approved for implants and coatings); Vanadium(approved for implants and coatings); Tantalum (approved for implants,dental and surgical instruments); Molybdenum (approved for prostheticdevices, trace element in plants and animals); Iron (essential element,approved for supplements, and has multiple approvals); Iridium (approvedfor surgical tools); Palladium (approved for multiple uses in alloys);Platinum (approved for multiple uses); Copper (approved for multipleuses); Silver (approved for multiple uses); Gold (approved for multipleuses); Zinc (approved for multiple uses); Carbon (approved for multipleapplications); Silicon (approved for multiple uses); Germanium (alloy,approved for uses); Tin (approved for multiple uses); Sulfur (approvedfor multiple uses); and Selenium (approved for multiple uses). It shouldbe appreciated that compositions of the invention may be used for theseand/or other uses. However, the fact that a compound has been approvedfor one use suggests that it may be suitable (e.g., non-toxic,non-irritant, etc.) for other uses.

It should be appreciated that certain metals that are individually toxicmay have reduced toxicity when in the form of an alloy or mixture.Relative toxicities may be determined by one of skill in the art andappropriate alloys may be selected based on their toxicity profiles.

In one aspect, one or more alloys listed with American Iron and SteelInstitute (AISA) may be used, for example, Iron Alloys with: Aluminum,Silicon, Manganese, Chromium, Vanadium, Molybdenum, Niobium (columbium),Selenium, Titanium, Phosphorus, Cobalt, Tungsten, Boron, Iron-CarbonAlloys with: Silicon, Phosphorus, Sulfur, Manganese, Nickel, Chromium,Molybdenum, Copper, and/or Titanium.

In one aspect, prosthetic alloys may be used. For example, stronglyadherent and passivating surface oxides, such as titanium oxide (TiO2)on titanium-based alloys and chromium oxide (Cr2O3) on cobalt-basedalloys may be used.

In one aspect, ferrous, cobalt-based, or titanium-based alloys may beused: for example, cold-worked stainless steel; cast Vitallium; awrought alloy of cobalt, nickel, chromium, molybdenum, and titanium;titanium alloyed with Aluminum and vanadium; and commercial-puritytitanium may be used.

In one aspect, certain alloys may be modified by nitriding orion-implantation of surface layers of enhanced surface properties. Forexample, one or more of the following alloys may be used: as castCo—Cr—Mo alloy; Bronze: copper and tin plus traces of other elements;Brass: copper and zinc; Bearing alloys: Babbitt metal, tin (Sn),antimony (Sb) and copper (Cu), copper, or silver (Ag);Corrosion-resisting alloys: Stainless steels: Austenitic, Ferritic andMartensitic formulas; Aluminum alloys: Al-lithium, chromium (Cr), nickel(Ni), Monel, an alloy of nickel and copper; Inconel: which containschromium and iron (Fe), Spiegeleisen: iron-manganese-carbon-silicon;Dental alloys: Amalgams silver and mercury (Hg), tin, copper, and zinc(Zn), Gold-base (Au), silver, and copper, palladium and platinum;Vitallium an alloy of cobalt, chromium, molybdenum, and nickel;Die-casting alloys: Zinc-base: aluminum and copper; Aluminum-base:Silicon, copper, iron, silicon; Eutectic alloys: copper with silver,tantalum carbide (TaC) fibers in a matrix of a cobalt-rich alloy;Fusible alloys: lead, cadmium, bismuth, tin, antimony, and indium,bismuth; and/or, Inter metallics: Mu-metal(nickel-iron-copper-molybdenum).

In one aspect, high-temperature alloys may be used, including one ormore of: Stainless steels: Cr, Ni, and molybdenum; both nickel-base andcobalt-base alloys, Nichrome, a nickel-base alloy containing, chromiumand iron; René-41 contains, chromium, aluminum, titanium (Ti), cobalt(Co), molybdenum, iron, carbon (C), boron (B), and nickel; and/orMolybdenum-base alloys.

In one aspect, joining alloys may be used. For example, one or more ofthe following may be used: copper-zinc, tin brass, silicon-aluminumeutectic alloy, aluminum-containing magnesium, and/or lead-tin alloys.

In one aspect, light-metal alloys may be used. For example, one or moreof the following may be used: Aluminum and magnesium (Mg), aluminum andcopper, and magnesium and aluminum; ternary (three-element) and/or morecomplex: aluminum-zinc-magnesium systems.

In other aspects, any one or more of the following alloys may be used:low-expansion alloys (e.g., Invar (iron-nickel), Kovar (5iron-nickel-cobalt), etc.); magnetic alloys (e.g., silicon-ferrite);permalloy (nickel-iron) and some comparable cobalt-base alloys; ceramicferrites; Inicos, Alnico-4 (iron-nickel-aluminum-cobalt), RCo5, where Ris samarium (Sm), lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce); precious-metal alloys(e.g., yellow gold which is an Au—Ag—Cu alloy, white gold which isAu-nickel, silver, or zinc, which change the color from yellow towhite); the alloy platinum (Pt)-rhodium (Rh)-platinum; sterling silver;shape memory alloys; gold alloyed with cadmium; nickel and titaniumknown as nitinal; thermocouple alloys; Chromel: nickel and chromium;Alumel: nickel, aluminum, chromium, and silicon; the widely usedChromel-Alumel thermocouple; superconducting alloys (e.g., niobium andtitanium, niobium and tin, vanadium and gallium, niobium and germanium,niobium and aluminum, etc.); lead-indium; lead-gold (PbAu); ceramic;copper oxide-based materials; yttrium-barium-copper-oxygen;bismuth-strontium-calcium-copper-oxygen;thallium-barium-calcium-copper-oxygen; etc.; or any combination of twoor more of the above.

Electrostatic and/or Electromagnetic Field Effects

The electrochemical properties of a composition of the invention may bedetermined based on the elemental metals that are used. It is expectedthat a wide range of electrochemical properties may be beneficial.However, one of ordinary skill can test different ratios and content fortheir effect on different biological systems. Accordingly, one ofordinary skill can optimize a composition of the invention for aparticular use.

The following non-limiting properties may be considered when determiningwhich metals or mixtures of metals to use: electroresistivity,electron-nucleus “charging characteristics,” reduction or oxidationpotential, electrostatic properties, electro-negative characteristics,electro-positive characteristics. These and other features are describedin more detail in the following paragraphs.

In one aspect, elements that due to their particular electroresistivity(micro ohm-cm @ normal conditions) may be useful in elemental metalcompositions of the invention include elements with high or lowelectroresistivity. Different electroresistivity properties may be useddepending on the biological application and the desired biologicaleffect (e.g., the desired intensity of the biological effect). Suitableelectroresistivity also may be influenced by other metals in thecomposition and by the coating material(s) and the configuration of thefinal compositions (e.g., an ointment or cream, or enclosed within acontainer, etc.). Accordingly, in some embodiments an elemental metalcomposition may include one or more of a low resistivity,semi-conductor, or high resistivity (electron deficient and/or nonmetal) metal(s).

In one aspect, low resistivity metals include: Yttrium, Scandium,Titanium, Vanadium, Niobium, Tantalum, Molybdenum, Rhenium, Iron,Ruthenium, Rhodium, Iridium, Nickel, Palladium, Platinum, Copper,Silver, Gold, Zinc, Aluminum, Gallium, Indium, Silicon, and/or tin.

In one aspect, semi-conductors (Metalloids) include: Boron, Silicon,Germanium, and/or Tellurium.

In one aspect, High resistivity elements include: Boron (electrondeficient), Carbon, Germanium, Silicon, Sulfur, Selenium, and/orTellurium.

In one aspect, elements that due to their electron-nucleus “chargingcharacteristics” in the form of electronegativity (Pauling) may beuseful in elemental metal compositions of the invention include thosethat are not so high as to be dangerously reactive. However, it shouldbe appreciated that combinations of high and low electronegativity mayyield compositions with a high “capacitance.” Differentelectronegativity properties may be used depending on the biologicalapplication and the desired biological effect (e.g., the desiredintensity of the biological effect). Suitable electronegativity also maybe influenced by other metals in the composition and by the coatingmaterial(s) and the configuration of the final compositions (e.g., anointment or cream, or enclosed within a container, etc.).

In one embodiment, compositions contain one or more metals withelectronegativity values between 1.2 and 2.56 Paulings. For example,Molybdenum (1.16), Scandium (1.3), Yttrium (1.3), Aluminum (1.5),Titanium (1.5), Tantalum (1.5), Vanadium (1.6), Niobium (1.6), Zinc(1.6), Gallium (1.6), Indium (1.7), Silicon (1.8), Iron (1.8), Nickel(1.8), Tin (1.8), Copper (1.9), Silver (1.9), Rhenium (1.9), Germanium(2.01), Boron (2.04), Tellurium (2.1), Rhodium (2.2), Platinum (2.2),Palladium (2.2), Ruthenium (2.2), Iridium (2.2), Gold (2.4) Sulfur(2.5), Carbon (2.55), and/or Selenium (2.55).

In one aspect, elements that due to their relatively low, medium or highoxidation potential may be particularly useful in elemental metalcompositions of the invention may nonetheless have special handlingconsiderations as discussed herein.

In one aspect, low oxidation potential metals include: Gallium, Indium,Silicon, Nickel, Tin, Copper, Silver, Ruthenium, Germanium, Boron,Tellurium Rhodium, Iridium (mildly basic), Palladium, Platinum, Gold,Carbon, and/or Selenium.

In one aspect, moderate oxidation potential metals (e.g., metals withsome instability when exposed to flame, air, oxygen, or water) include:Aluminum, Zinc, Iron, Titanium, Niobium (5 micron spontaneous ignitionin air), Tantalum, and/or Rhenium.

In one aspect, elements with combined extremes in reduction-oxidationpotential (in solution versus hydrogen electrode) may be particularlyuseful in certain combinations.

In one aspect, elements with high electro-positive potential (reactivechemically) include: Yttrium, Scandium, Titanium, Vanadium, Ruthenium,Nickel, Niobium, Zinc, Iron, Aluminum, Gallium, Indium, Tin, Sulfur,Selenium, and/or Tellurium. In one embodiment, elements with highelectro-negative potential (least reactive chemically) include: Copper,Silver, Gold, Rhodium, Platinum, and/or Palladium.

In one aspect, elements with a moderate degree of negative reductionpotential (between about 1.8 and 2.0 Paulings) may be useful in someelemental metal compositions of the invention for human use. Forexample, Zinc, Gallium, Indium, Silicon, Iron, Nickel, Tin, Copper,and/or Silver may be used. In one embodiment, these elements formparticularly effective energy compounds when mixed with elements fromthe extremes of the electro-motive series. For example, one or moreelements with a moderate degree of negative reduction potential may bemixed with one or more elements below 1.6 Pauling such as Molybdenum(1.16), Scandium (1.3), Yttrium (1.3), Aluminum (1.5), Titanium (1.5),Tantalum (1.5), Vanadium (1.6), and/or Niobium (1.6). In anotherexample, one or more elements with a moderate degree of negativereduction potential may be mixed with one or more elements above 1.9Pauling such as Rhenium (1.9), Germanium (2.01), Boron (2.04), Tellurium(2.1), Rhodium (2.2), Platinum (2.2), Palladium (2.2), Ruthenium (2.2),Iridium (2.2), Gold (2.4) Sulfur (2.5), Carbon (2.55), and/or Selenium(2.55).

In one aspect, elements with particular electrostatic properties may beuseful in elemental metal compositions of the invention. For example,tantalum may be useful, because it has the most capacitance per volumeof any substance. Ruthenium may be useful, because it has multi-valencestates and high capacitance. Boron may be useful in some embodiments,because it has poor thermal and electrical conductivity. Gallium may beuseful in some embodiments, because it is a “poor metal” andsoft/liquid. Indium may be useful in some embodiments, because it has aunique response to electric fields. Carbon may be useful in someembodiments as a coating or other matrix. Carbon also may be used in oneor more alloys (e.g., carbon steels), because it has multiple forms withvariable electrostatic properties. Silicon may be useful in someembodiments, because it is a stable semi-conductor. Germanium may beuseful in some embodiments, because it is a semi-conductor and has aunique response to infra-red radiation. Sulfur may be useful in someembodiments, because it has multiple crystalline morphologies. Seleniummay be useful in some embodiments, because of its rectifier functionsand it is radiant to electrical energy. Tellurium may be useful in someembodiments, because it is slightly photosensitive.

In one aspect, “poor metals” or “post transition metals” may be used(metals occurring between metalloids and transition metals that are moreelectropositive than many transition metals). For example, Aluminum,Gallium, Indium, and/or Tin may be used.

In one aspect, certain elements and/or alloys may be particularly usefulin elemental metal compositions of the invention. For example, metalswith a non-chemical bonding and/or an inducible and/or fluctuatingelectrostatic “field effect” may be particularly useful. In oneembodiment, Yttrium, Scandium, Molybdenum, Palladium, Silver, Zinc,Aluminum (“elemental clustering”), Iron, Copper, Gallium, Indium,Carbon, Silicon, Germanium, Sulfur, Selenium, and/or Tellurium may beparticularly useful.

In one aspect, elements and alloys that have ferromagnetic potential(ferro-magnetic group) may be non-toxic and useful for compositions ofthe invention. For example, Iron, Cobalt Nickel, Platinum, and/orYttrium (slight magnetic susceptibility) may be used.

In one aspect, metals in the Platinum metal group may be useful, forexample, Platinum, Palladium, Ruthenium, Rhodium, and/or Iridium. In oneembodiment, Osmium is not used.

Methods for Preparing Capacitor Compositions Comprising Coated ElementalMetals

According to the invention, certain metal powders may be thermallyunstable in the presence of oxygen, because the powders possess a highsurface area per unit mass. Very fine metal powders can burn in air(pyrophoricity) and are potentially explosive. Therefore clean handlingof powder may be important. Suitable methods for handling powders mayinclude venting, controlled oxidation to passivate particle surfaces,surface coating, minimization of sparks or heat sources, etc., or anycombination thereof. Some respirable fine powders pose a health concernand can cause disease or lung dysfunction: the smaller the particlesize, the greater the potential health hazard. Control is exercised bythe use of protective equipment and safe handling systems such as gloveboxes, respirators, masks, air-handling devices, filters, etc.

In one embodiment, compositions of the invention may be prepared underconditions that prevent or minimize oxidation and/or reduction of theelemental metals (e.g., prevent or minimize exposure to humidity and/oroxygen (e.g., time and/or amount)).

Elements and alloys (that may contain these elements) that are useful tothe formulation of elemental metal compositions of the invention mayrequire special handling with precautions in finely divided formsdetermined by OSHA regulations. All may have respiratory exposure limits(due to irritation, but not biological toxins except at high doses ofparticulates or fumes) defined by OSHA for finely divided form. Certainelements may require special care due to skin irritation, knownallergens, and may be absorbed (or cross) through inflamed skin,relatively low (HMIS ratings on flammability-will ignite as powder witha heat source, and health effects, environmental and chemical reactivitygenerally low HMIS #1 or less).

Mixing

Compositions of the invention may be mixed using any suitable method toobtain elemental metal(s) coated with sufficient coating material(s) inorder to exhibit desirable field effect properties.

In some embodiments, additional materials may be added to an elementalmetal composition to improve certain physical characteristics (e.g.,malleability). For example an emulsifier such as lanolin may be added.Alternatively, other types of materials may be added, e.g., forstability, to prevent moisture, to prevent oxidation, to preventmicrobial growth, etc. (e.g., sulfur, antioxidant(s), vitamin(s), otherstabilizers).

In one embodiment, compositions may be prepared so that they aresuitably malleable to be molded to fit a particular shape such as theindividual shape of a subject's anatomical region that is to be treated(e.g., joint, back, etc.) or a plant feature. The composition may bemolded during preparation to fit a form. Alternatively, the compositionmay be molded when applied to a subject or plant.

Activation

In one aspect, compositions of the invention may be prepared byincluding an activation step that increases the responsiveness ofbiological tissue when exposed to the activated composition. Examples ofactivation include heat (e.g., during or after mixing, or both),exposure to a source of electro-magnetic radiation (e.g., a Tesla coil);exposure to sunlight; exposure to the air; exposure to a source ofionizing radiation; exposure to electric current (e.g., by insertingelectrodes into the composition and applying an alternating or directcurrent to the electrodes); exposure to a negative ion generator; etc.;or any combination of two or more of the above.

Ratios of Elemental Metals and Coating Materials

The ratio of elemental metal to coating material may range from 1:1,000to 1,000:1 by weight or volume. However, higher, lower, or intermediateratios may be used. For example, ratios of 100:1, 50:1, 10:1, 5:1, 1:1,1:5, 1:10, 1:50, or 1:100 may be used. The appropriate ratio may dependon the nature of the metal (e.g., the size of the particles), the natureof the coating material (e.g., how waxy or oily it is), and the intendeduse (e.g., whether the composition is intended as a cream to be appliedto skin or whether it will be provided in a container or a sealeddevice).

Preparations and Formulations:

Elemental compositions of the inventions may be formulated as creams,ointments, etc. In one embodiment, a cream or ointment may bemanufactured based on a coated elemental metal preparation. In anotherembodiment, elemental metal(s) (e.g., particulate elemental metal(s))may be added to an existing cream or ointment. The elemental metal(s)may be added in a coated form. Alternatively, the elemental metal(s) maybe added without a coating and the components of the cream or ointmentmay act as a coating.

Suitable composition percentages of ointment mixtures may be determinedfor maximal biological or healing effect. However, each of the metalslisted herein may have the capability to independently form abiologically active capacitor at many concentrations in combination withcoating materials such as organic substances. Therefore, iron filingsand ferrous metal sheets that are coated with organic substances alsomay become biologically active and can be shaped into many differentuseful applications. The overall effect of the surface area involvedwith metallic/organic interface and the capacitance of the substance intotal appears to impact (and in some embodiments maximize) thebiological effects.

In one aspect of the invention, an elemental metal composition may havenon-linear or alternating properties (e.g., non-linear or alternatingcapacitance and/or field effects). In one embodiment, an elemental metalcomposition may be inducible (e.g., have increasing capacitance and/orfield effect upon repeated exposure to an electrostatic orelectromagnetic field).

Suitable formulations may be identified and used to preserve and/orenhance the non-linear, alternating, inducible properties of acomposition of the invention. Certain formulations may be used toprotect a metal from oxidation.

In some embodiments, a composition of the invention may be formulatedwith one or more additives (e.g., preservatives, anti-bacterial,anti-inflammatory, emulsifier, thickener, hardener, etc., or anycombination thereof) in addition to the elemental metal and matrixcomponents. In some embodiments, a composition may include aninsulating, a corrosion resistant, and/or a hydrophobic or other waterexcluding material (e.g., in the form of the matrix or in addition tothe matrix). The electrostatic and/or electromagnetic effects of one ormore additives should be considered or assayed, and an appropriateamount should be used to prevent any unwanted effects.

It should be appreciated that a composition of the invention may includea homogeneous mixture of components (e.g., an evenly-distributedmixture). However, in some embodiments, a heterogeneous mixture ofcomponents (e.g., an uneven distribution) may be effective. Thedistribution may be evaluated, for example, using a microscope.

Containers:

In certain aspects, a composition of the invention may be provided in acontainer that is adapted to be contacted or exposed to an animal orplant surface. The container may be flexible, malleable, rigid, orinclude one or more flexible and/or malleable and/or rigid members orportions. In some embodiments, a container may be a sac, bag, or otherflexible container. In some embodiments, an elemental metal compositionof the invention may be wrapped or folded within a support material(e.g., metallic sheet, film, cloth, glass, etc.).

In one embodiment, a container may be shaped to fit onto a biologicalstructure (e.g., anatomical feature).

In one embodiment, a container may include one or more features adaptedfor attachment to a biological structure. Examples of attachmentfeatures include belts, straps, hooks, etc. Alternatively oradditionally, a container may be shaped to attach to a biologicalstructure. For example, the container may be shaped as a cylinder,sheath, glove, sock, hat, etc. In some embodiments, the container may beshaped or designed to fit into an article of clothing (e.g., hat, glove,shoe, coat, etc.).

In some embodiments, a container may be shaped as a disc or sphere(e.g., a ball). In some embodiments, a composition of the invention maybe shaped as a disc or sphere (e.g., a ball). For example, a disc orsphere may be between about 1 and about 5 inches in diameter. However,smaller or larger discs or spheres may be used (e.g., less than 1 inch,less than 0.5 inches, etc., or more than 1 inch, more than 5 inches,more than 10 inches, etc.). In some embodiments, a disc may be about 2inches in diameter. A disc may be of any suitable thickness. Forexample, a disc may be between 1/10 and 10 inches thick (e.g., about ⅛,¼, ⅜, ½, ⅝, ¾, ⅞, 1, 5, or more inches thick). However, thinner orthicker discs may be used. It should be appreciated that many othergeometric shapes may be used (e.g., squares, rectangles, triangles,cubes, etc.). It also should be appreciated that a composition of theinvention may be provided in a shape that roughly approximates ageometric shape. In some embodiments, a composition of the invention maybe provided in a pad. In certain embodiments, a composition of theinvention may be shaped to fit an anatomical feature (e.g., of a plantor animal, for example of a human) as described in more detail herein.

In one embodiment, a container may be adapted to receive one or morebiological materials. A belt or item of clothing may be adapted toreceive material, with or without a surrounding container material. Thematerial may be provided in any shape. One or more separate packages(e.g., with or without surrounding container material) may be added to abelt, an item of clothing, furniture (e.g., chair, couch, bed,car-seat), sheet, or any other suitable support. For example, 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more packages (e.g., discs, spheres, cubes,etc.) may be affixed or introduced into a single or separate spaces orpockets in a belt, an item of clothing, furniture, sheet, or any othersuitable support. In some embodiments, several layers (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4,5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more layers) of an elemental metal composition maybe separated by one or more layers of a support material (e.g.,sheathing, for example fiberglass screening). In some embodiments,layers of compositions may be included between layers of differentmaterials (e.g., solid metal foil, non-conducting felt, etc., or anycombination thereof) to modify the intensity of a field effect (e.g., toenhance or reduce the effect).

A container may contain dry, sticky, waxy, and/or wet elementalcompositions. Any suitable mass of an elemental metal composition may beused, for example, included in a container. For example, less than 1 g,1-10 g, 10-100 g, 100-500 g, 500 g to 1 kg, 1-10 kg, 10-50 kg, or morematerial may be used (e.g., with or without a surrounding container).

In one embodiment, a container may be adapted to be mixed withbiological materials (e.g., a pod or small container that can be mixedwith seeds or fruit or vegetables or other biological materials).

In one embodiment, a suitable storage container may be used to preserveor maintain an electrostatic charge and/or an activated state of anelemental metal composition.

A container may be manufactured from any suitable material (e.g., glass,cotton, wool, silk, metals, plastics, wood, synthetic fibers, naturalfibers, polymeric material, resins, etc.).

In some embodiments, a container may be of a material that is untreated(e.g., that has not been treated with a chemical additive, bleachingagent, preservative, dye, paint, fire retardant or other chemicaladulterant or treatment that may alter the electrostatic and/orelectromagnetic properties of an elemental metal composition). Forexample, in some embodiments, a container does not include (e.g., doesnot include a significant amount of, for example less than 50%, lessthan 40%, less than 30%, less than 20%, less than 10%, less than 5%,less than 1% by weight or volume of) a material that reduces theelectronegative properties of an elemental composition (or that resultsin an electropositive effect). In some embodiments, plastic containers(e.g., polyethylene and/or polypropylene plastic containers) are notused for medical or therapeutic (e.g., analgesic) compositions ordevices of the invention. Certain containers may be used to protect ametal from oxidation. In some embodiments, a container may include adessicant. In certain embodiments, a container may be air-tight and/orprovide a moisture barrier.

Applications: Animal Applications

Aspects of the invention include therapeutic applications for animals.For example medical applications in human include treatments of skinconditions (e.g., psoriasis, skin cancer or pre-cancerous conditionssuch as hyperkeratotic lesions, melanomas, etc.). As used herein,treating, or treatment, or treat, refer to a therapeutic prevention,cure, reduction (e.g., in time and/or intensity), and/or delay ofsymptoms associated with a disease, condition or injury. Accordingly,aspects of the invention provide methods for treating one or moreinjuries (e.g., lacerations, bruising, soft tissue injuries, bonefractures, burns) and pain (e.g., joint pain, neuromuscular pain, andother forms of pain). Joint or bond pain may include pain in one or moreof the following: an anatomical feature, a joint, a bone, a spine orportion thereof (e.g., a foot, an ankle, a hand, a wrist, a knee, anelbow, a hip, a shoulder, a lower back region, an upper back region, ashin, a neck, etc.). Compositions of the invention may be used forsimilar applications in veterinary care for animals such as pets andfarm animals. An animal may be a vertebrate, such as a bird, a fish, ora mammal, e.g., a mouse, cat, dog, rat, hamster, cow, pig, horse, goat,sheep, rabbit, etc.

In one embodiment, a composition of the invention may be included withan implant or other device that is surgically inserted into a body(e.g., a human body). The composition may be coated on the surface ofthe implant/device or it may be encased within the body of the device orwithin one or more containers that are inserted into the body inproximity to the implant or device. For example, compositions of theinvention may be used with implants for joint repair, non-union fracturerepair, etc.

Other medical and/or veterinary uses may include: anti-pruritic;analgesic; anti-hyperplasia; anti-inflammatory; anti-infective;anti-mycotic; anti-microbial; anti-viral; anti-neoplastic;anti-proliferative; anti-psoriatic; anti-photo aging; anti-rheumatic;anti-arthritic; wound healing; augmentation of grafts and implants;inclusion in containers to preserve transplant organs; insect bitehealing; treatment of warts; treatment of burns; treatment of sun burns;treatment of abrasions; treatment of ulcers; to improve healing oftrauma; and/or to improve or treat any other skin condition (e.g., acne,etc.). Aspects of the invention may be used to treat inflammation,swelling and/or itching (e.g., reduce the intensity and/or duration ofpain and/or itching) due to environmental, animal, or plant exposure.For example, aspects of the invention may be used to treat, prevent orreduce a response to an allergen or toxin (e.g., after exposure toanimal hair or dander, pollen, animal venom, plant or animal toxin,poison ivy, poison oak etc.). Aspects of the invention may be used totreat pain or discomfort associated with a disease or condition (e.g.,cancer, inflammation, tissue degeneration, injuries, fractures,arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, a degenerative etiologyof pain, a discogenic disease, etc.). In some embodiments, aspects ofthe invention may be used to provide analgesic relief for one or moreconditions. For example, analgesic relief may be provided for OsgoodSchlatter's Disease, Patella-Femeral syndrome, and/or Chondromalacia. Insome embodiments, compositions and devices of the invention may be usedto relieve pain associated with growth (e.g., in children) or associatedwith tissue degeneration (e.g., associated with aging). In someembodiments, compositions and devices of the invention may be used totreat regular pain (e.g., pain associated with menstrual cramps),seasonal pain or inflammation or irritation, or sporadic pain orinflammation or irritation.

Depending on the application, the elemental metal composition may beused in a different suitable configuration (e.g., paste, cream orointment, layered configuration, container, sheath, etc.). A composition(e.g., a composition enclosed in a container) may be molded to fit anindividual body part. The amount of composition that is applied may betailored to a particular application. For example, a composition in acream (or past or ointment) form may be applied in a sufficient amountto cover an affected area of skin or an area covering a joint or otherbone or body part that is in need of treatment. If the composition isenclosed in a container, a sufficient amount should be used so that theeffects of the material can reach to the desired area of treatment. Theamount of material may, in part, be determined by the size of theenclosure. Accordingly, different amounts of material may be used (e.g.,from several grams to several kilograms, for example, about 5 g, 10 g,20 g, 30 g, 40 g, 50 g, 100 g, 250 g, 500 g, or 750 g). However, smalleror larger amounts may be used. Similarly, the duration of exposure maybe tailored to a particular application and also may be determined bythe user. For example, if a desired result is obtained (e.g., painrelief) a subject may discontinue use. In other embodiments, a subjectmay be exposed on a regular basis (e.g., every day, once a week, etc.)to a suitable composition. In one embodiment, a subject may be exposedat night. For example, a suitable composition may be applied at night orincorporated into a bedding material (e.g., a pillow, blanket, mattress,other suitable enclosure, an animal bedding material, etc.). Inaddition, or alternatively, a subject may be exposed during the day. Forexample, a suitable composition may be included in clothing material(e.g., pants, shirts, skirts, coats, gloves, hats, shoes, socks, etc.).In one embodiment, a composition may be provided in an enclosure thatcan be attached to, or placed in, an item of clothing (e.g., in a hat,glove, shoe, pocket, etc.).

In other embodiments, a composition of the invention may be included ina bandage (e.g., included in a pad in a bandage such as a band-aid) orother material that is used to wrap or cover a wound or painful area ofa body.

In certain embodiments, a composition may be formed into one or moreseparate shapes that can be inserted into container, a pocket, or sewninto a belt or other support. For example, a belt may include one ormore discs of material (e.g., 1-5, 5-10, or more).

An animal surface (e.g., skin) may be exposed to a composition of theinvention directly or indirectly (e.g., in a container or throughclothing, bedding, or furniture) for any suitable period of time (e.g.,1-5, 5-10, 10-30, or longer), one or more hours (e.g., 1-5, 5-10, orlonger), one or more days (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, ormore), one or more weeks (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more),one or more months (e.g., 1-5, 5-10, or longer) or one or more years(e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.). In some embodiments, a animal may beexposed to an elemental metal material on a regular and/or seasonalbasis (e.g., every, spring, summer, fall, winter, or any combinationthereof) depending on the application and/or the condition beingtreated.

Plant Applications

Aspects of the invention include plant applications. Compositions of theinvention may be used to alter one or more aspects of plant physiology(germination, growth, flowering, ripening, decaying, etc.). Compositionsof the invention may be used in connection with any plant tissue,including, but not limited to, seeds, roots, branches, fruits,vegetables, etc. In some aspects, a composition of the invention may beapplied directly to plant material (e.g., in the form of a cream, oil,or other similar substance). In other aspects, a composition of theinvention may be provided in a container or sheath that can be contactedwith plant tissue, structure, or cells (e.g., roots, sterns, branches,leaves, seeds, flowers, etc.). For example, a composition of theinvention may be provided in bags or solid containers that can beincluded with seeds (e.g., in seed silos, sacs, etc.) in order toenhance germination (e.g., to speed up germination, to increase thepercentage of seeds that germinate, etc., or any combination thereof).In one embodiment, seeds may be stored with a device of the invention.In another embodiment, a device of the invention may be added to seedcontainers when germination is desired (or for example several weeksprior to germination or before seeds are sowed). In one embodiment,seeds may be coated directly with a composition of the invention. Acomposition of the invention may be used as a seed or soil “amendment.”In one embodiment, one or more elemental metals (e.g., particulateelemental metals) that may be coated (e.g., with a non-conducting orsemi-conducting material) or non-coated may be added to an existing seedor soil “amendment” that contains one or more other active ingredients.In one embodiment, a container or surface (e.g., a table) may includeone or more layers of coated elemental metal(s) of the invention (e.g.,2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more layers). Plant material (e.g.,bulbs, seeds, seedlings, small plants, large plants, vegetables, fruit,etc.) then may be contacted with the biologically active composition byputting the plant material in the container, on the table, or near anyother suitable device that contains a biologically active composition ofthe invention. In yet other embodiments, a device (e.g., a weatherresistant device) may be placed on or near a plant growing inside (e.g.,in a house or a greenhouse) or outside (e.g., in a garden, field, orforest) or in water (e.g., in a tank, pond, lake, river, sea, ocean,etc.).

In other aspects, an elemental metal composition of the invention may beadded, either directly or in a suitable container, toagricultural/horticultural products such as soil (e.g., top-soil),mulch, fertilizer, insect or other pest control compositions, etc. Insome embodiments, an elemental metal composition of the invention may beapplied to the inner surface of a container (e.g., a vial, beaker, vase,vat, silo, etc., or any combination thereof) that will be used to store,germinate, and/or grow seeds and/or other plant material. In someembodiments, a formulation of the invention may be included in a seedtray, a growing platform, or other surface or container. In someembodiments, a composition of the invention may be covered or containedwithin a material that does not reduce the electro-negative propertiesof the material or result in an electro-positive environment. In someembodiments, plastic (e.g., polyethylene and/or polypropylene plastic)is not used as a coating or encasing material.

In some embodiments, a composition for use with a plant may include oneor more elemental metals that are plant nutrients (e.g., micro- ormacro-nutrients essential for plant growth). Examples of macronutrientsinclude: N, K, Ca, Mg, P, and S. Examples of micronutrients include: Cl,Fe, B, Mn, Zn, Cu, Mo, and Ni.

Accordingly, aspects of the invention may be used to improve foodstorage and/or transport; to improve seed and/or grain germination; orto improve fruit, grain and/or seed yield. Aspects of the invention maybe used in connection with any plant or seed, for example anyagricultural plant or seed (e.g., barley, corn, cotton, rice, soy,wheat, lettuce, tomatoes, potatoes, apples, oranges, pairs, bananas,etc.) or any flower plant or seed.

As described above for medical applications, large or small amounts ofmaterial may be used and may be exposed to plant material for relativelyshort or long periods of time depending on the application and thedesired result. In some embodiments, a seed or plant may be exposed toan elemental metal composition for one or more minutes (e.g., 1-5, 5-10,10-30, or longer), one or more hours (e.g., 1-5, 5-10, or longer), oneor more days (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more), one or moreweeks (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more), one or more months(e.g., 1-5, 5-10, or longer) or one or more years (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,etc.). In some embodiments, a seed or plant may be exposed to anelemental metal material on a regular and/or seasonal basis (e.g.,every, spring, summer, fall, winter, or any combination thereof).

It should be appreciated that suitable amounts of material and/ordurations of exposure may be optimized by comparing results for animalsor plants exposed to different amounts (e.g., including a placebocontrol), and/or durations of one or more different types of elementalmetal compositions with or without containers (e.g., using one or moredifferent types of containers). The effectiveness of an exposure may beevaluated statistically. In some embodiments, an exposure of theinvention (e.g., a combination of type and amount of material,container, and/or duration or exposure) is designed to be an amountsufficient to have a statistically significant effect. In someembodiments, the effectiveness of a therapeutic composition may beevaluated in a double-blind placebo-controlled trial. In someembodiments, the effectiveness to treat pain or inflammation may beevaluated by obtaining average patient reports (e.g., using a painscale, for example a 0-10 Lickert type scale) relative to a control on adaily, weekly, monthly, or other time-dependent basis and evaluatingthem using one or more statistical tests. In some embodiments, a patientquality of life score (e.g., related to activity and/or mobility) may beused to evaluate effectiveness. In some embodiments, the average amountof medication used over a certain time period (e.g., a week, a month, orlonger) may be evaluated to determine if a treatment is effective.

It should be appreciated that for medical, veterinary, and/or plantuses, a composition of the invention may be combined with one or moreother compositions or preparations that are used to treat or enhance ananimal or plant biological process. In some embodiments, a compositionof the invention may be sterilized. In one embodiment, a composition maybe prepared from sterile materials. In one embodiment, a composition maybe sterilized after preparation or during preparation (e.g., by heating,irradiation, etc.).

It should be appreciated that in some embodiments, a composition of theinvention may have a limited period of effectiveness (e.g., a periodduring which a useful electronegative or electropositive effect ismaintained). Accordingly, certain compositions of the invention may bedisposable an or rechargeable. For example, an elemental metalcomposition may be rechargeable as described herein. In someembodiments, a container described herein may be refillable (e.g., withfreshly produced or recycled elemental metal material).

It also should be appreciated that compositions of the invention may beuseful to alter growth, differentiation, or other properties ofbiological materials ex vivo or in vivo (e.g., to enhance plant, animal,or microbial cell growth in vitro, to preserve organs such as organs fortransplantation, to preserve plants or plant grafts for transport,etc.).

These and other aspects of the invention are illustrated by thefollowing non-limiting examples.

EXAMPLES Example 1

The effectiveness of metal containing skin ointments was tested onpsoriasis, hyperkeratosis (pre-cancerous skin lesions), and for jointand neuromuscular pain management.

Materials Used:

Iron powder (degreased purified form, e.g., from J.T. Baker Iron, Powder#2226-01 Fe FW 55.85, assay purity of 97.0% [Mallinckrodt Baker, Inc.Phillipsburg, N.J. 08865, PH. 908-859-2151, ccas no. 7439-89-6]) wasfound to be more effective than iron filings.

Zinc Metal Dust (e.g., lab grade, FW 65.39, highly pulverized-refinedform of powder, e.g., from Post Apple Scientific, Inc., 8893 Gulf Road,North East PA., 16428, lot # 030701-15m) also was found to be moreeffective than metal filings.

Bees Wax, natural formulation with no added chemicals such aspreservatives, scents or dyes, only filtered, with melting point of 143degrees F. (e.g., from Yaley's candle crafting enterprises, Inc. Lot No.110016) was used to coat the elemental metal(s).

Liquid Lanolin, natural formulation derived from sheep's wool, with noadded chemicals such as scents, solvents, preservatives, or dyes. (e.g.,from Now Foods, Bloomingdale, Ill. 60108, code 7730) was used as anemulsifier.

Ointment Composition (by Weight):

An ointment with the following composition was prepared and tested.

Fe 29.6% Zn 25.6% Bees Wax 25.6% Lanolin 19.2% Ointment MixturePreparation:

The amount of organic substance (e.g., wax) used was based on theminimum amount of material needed to coat all the particles of metal(based on a visual analysis of the preparation). The wax metallicmixture is not malleable at room temperature and is easier to use with alubricant that is both stable and that does not interfere with ordisrupt the wax-metallic interface, but enables the mixture to becomemalleable and remain stable to moisture.

The tested substances seem to loose their biological reactivity whenthey are wet, but resume their activity when dried again.

The percentage of lanolin that was used was sufficient to make thewax-metallic mixture malleable and of paste-like consistency. Thispercentage may very depending on the viscosity of the lanolin used andthe desired consistency of the product. It should be noted that lanolinand bees wax may have bacteriostatic as well as enzymatic activitiesthat function indirectly as preservatives, emollients (like petroleumjelly), and anti-inflammatories. However, these additional activitiesare not required for the therapeutic properties of the invention. Forexample, these additional activities may not even be involved in abiological process when a composition of the invention is applied in abandage or therapeutic patch that has no direct contact with the skin orbody tissues of a subject.

The composition described in this example is a non-irritant, non-toxic,and apparently benign substance with little if any anticipated sideeffects (with the exception of a known allergy to bees wax and/orlanolin). The metals in their native form may be toxic if inhaled, butbenign in the formulation described herein due to its consistency andstability.

Method of Formulation:

Iron and zinc materials were measured by weight and mixed in a stoneworker's tumbler or vibrational mixer, until thoroughly mixed.

Wax and lanolin were measured and added to the tumbler along with themetallic substance and mixed until forming a thick paste. This mixingprocess may take several days depending on the speed and effectivenessof the tumbler apparatus.

Application:

The ointment described in this example can be applied directly to humanskin as a treatment for psoriasis. The paste is placed on the skin andan occlusive dressing is placed over the ointment to maintain itscontact with the skin. Effective results were observed with an exposuretime of around 6-8 hours per day for up to several weeks. Up to 12-16weeks of exposure may be required for restoring normal integrity ofhuman skin. If scarring has occurred due to the psoriasis lesion, theskin retains the scarring, at least to some extent. The treatmentappeared to be very effective when the ointment was replaced/refresheddaily and a new covering was applied exposing the skin surfaces totreatment for 24 hours/day daily. Under these circumstances, the lengthof treatment was reduced several fold to perhaps 4-6 weeks. It isanticipated that in some circumstances treatment may need to becontinued for longer periods of time (e.g., for months, years, orindefinitely) for at least at short time (e.g., a pre-determined minimumnumber of hours) per day in order to sustain normal skin architecture.

Occlusive Dressings:

An occlusive dressing was used to keep the material on the skin surfacewhen the ointment was placed directly on the skin. This preventsmoisture penetration that may decrease the effectiveness of the ointmenttreatment. Wool (e.g., 100%, natural felt, with no chemical additives)was particularly effective (it may sustain a negative static electricalcharge). Cotton was less effective. Silk did not show any significanteffect when tested in psoriasis. However, silk may be used for differentcompositions and/or applications. Plastics may be used but may not be aseffective as cloth (wool or cotton) bandaging or ferrous metals insituation when a positive charge is desired due their reduced ability tohold a positive charge. Adhesive tape such as athletic tape may be usedto secure the bandage. Pre-manufactured band aids using one of manyavailable over-the-counter materials have been shown to be effective.

Another bandage design may be more appropriate when the skin integumentis disrupted with open lesions, or if the individual does not want toapply the ointment directly to the skin (e.g., for aesthetic reasons).An alternative design may use a contained ointment patch made ofstainless steel foil (e.g., with the edges wrapped in wax and adhesiveathletic tape to prevent a sharp-lacerating edge). In otherconfigurations, multiple layers (e.g., up to 15 layers or more) of metalfoil covered with a thin layer of an ointment may be more effective thansingle layer. Without being bound by theory, it is expected that theincreased energetic capacitance of the layered materials may have anincreased therapeutic effect.

Compositions described in this example were found to be effective whenlayered using the following stainless steel sheets: Austenitic grade #321, which is an annealed stainless steel of thickness 0.003″, and alsocontains a minimum of 12% chromium, as well as small amounts of titaniumand nickel. Stainless steel was chosen based on its relative inertinteraction with skin secretions. In addition, stainless steel i) can bewashed and/or sterilized if soiled, ii) does not rust (which renders theointment/paste biologically inactive), and iii) appears to hold acharge. It is expected that numerous forms of sheet steel and sheetstainless steel of many different chemical and crystalline compositionsmay be used. It is expected that higher carbon stainless steel such as #302, and # 303 (with sulfur) also would be biologically active and maybe even more active than # 321.

Potential Ointment/Paste Applications:

Skin Applications

A number of different skin conditions were tested and found to benefitfrom treatment with an ointment described in this example.

Psoriasis was observed to respond to direct ointment application or anocclusive patch dressing using wool, cotton, or stainless steel foilcoverings in single or multiple layers. Visible changes in the psoriaticlesions were observed.

Pre-cancerous/hyperkeratotic lesions were observed to respond to adirect ointment application or an occlusive patch or dressing using felt(e.g., wool felt), wool or stainless steel coverings in single ormultiple layers. Visible changes in hyperkeratotic lesions wereobserved.

Wound healing seemed to be accelerated by a composition described inthis example (e.g., cuts and bruises healed faster when exposed to acomposition described in this example).

Several second degree burns were observed to respond to exposure to acomposition described in this example. For example, significant painrelief was obtained for a second degree burn caused by steam underpressure when treated with the metallic form of occlusive dressing.Cooking burn and finger tips from a hot light bulb all responded todirect ointment with occlusive dressing, stainless steel dressing,and/or band aid dressing, resulting in an analgesic effect and anapparent acceleration of healing with reduced sloughing of skin.

Pain Management

Pain relief in musculoskeletal injuries and overuse syndromes weretested and demonstrated by decreased pain of a triple bone fracture whenthe ointment/paste was placed in a quarter inch think pad, made fromfelt covered paste wrapped around the fracture area for overnight useand one hour treatment periods. Significant pain relief was also testedand demonstrated in neuromuscular pain of a rotator-cuff tendinitis andtemporary bruising using one hour treatment periods with the samepad/formulation described above. Numerous shapes and sizes of such a padcan be manufactured for different applications, e.g., for orthopedicsplints and braces for any joint or limb.

Pain relief in arthritis (osteoarthritis) was tested and demonstrated byincreased mobility, agility and overall activity level in an elderly dogtreated with a full body sleeping pad constructed with thepaste/ointment inside a stainless steel foil pad described above.

Example 2

The effectiveness of compositions containing several mixtures of iron,zinc, aluminum, and/or copper were tested.

Composition Formula:

Compositions containing combinations of iron, zinc, aluminum and copperwere tested. It is expected that finer dusts (200 mesh or higher) willproduce greater biological effects due to the increased surface area ofthe metal/organic interface. Finer metal dusts were used (e.g., producedusing 325 mesh) and were very effective.

Iron and zinc were used at about the same ratio (iron 29.6% and zinc25.6%) for most experiments, and aluminum and copper were added up to10% of total weight of metals. It was observed that aluminum and copperdust in relative concentrations of up to 10% of the weight of iron andzinc contributed to the effectiveness of the compositions. Otherconcentrations of aluminum and/or copper may be more effective forcertain applications (e.g., different conditions and or organisms).Based on the present description, one of skill in that art can testother concentrations and identify useful and/or optimal ratios ofdifferent metals for different applications.

It is expected that gold, silver and/or platinum dust also may bebiologically active when used as the metals, or when combined with othermetals in compositions described herein.

It should be appreciated that lanolin is useful primarily as aneffective emulsifier to facilitate the pliability of the compounds atroom temperature, and may be especially useful for applications to skinsurfaces. However, lanolin may not be suitable or optimal for otherapplications described herein. Lanolin does not appear to have asignificant effect on the biological properties of a composition of theinvention when wax or some other carbonaceous material is used to coatthe metal particles. It was found that wax and beeswax alone with themetallic substances yielded effective biologically active compounds.

Example 3

Different methods of manufacturing biologically effective compositionswere tested.

Room Temperature Mixing:

A rock and mineral tumbler was used to mix shards of wax, lanolin andthe selected metals. This mixing was continued for several days. Thismixing yielded an oily mixture that was easily pliable. This method doesnot maximize the mixing and coating of the metallic substances. However,this method is simple and the resulting compounds were biologicallyactive.

Heating and Mixing:

The wax was heated to a liquid form, approximately 145 degrees F.,without overheating or chemical breakdown of the wax. Each metallic dustcomponent was heated separately using a natural gas or propane/acetylenetorch until the metal reached the heat of incandescence.

The metals were plunged into the liquid wax one component at a time.Each metal was heated separately, because incandescence is reached at adifferent temperature for each metal and the temperature was kept belowthe temperature of vaporization for each metal. Metal was then cooled sothat wax was not brought to boiling temperature. The metals then werestirred mechanically together with the molten wax, and allowed to coolto room temperature.

If the resultant material is to be pliable at room temperature, lanolin(or petroleum jelly, etc.) may be added. Lanolin may be added, forexample, in an amount that is equal to the weight of the wax that isused. However, different amounts of lanolin may be used as long as thereis enough carbonaceous material/wax to coat a sufficient percentage ofthe metallic particles to produce a composition with certain desiredbiological properties.

Compositions of the invention produced by heating and mixing were foundto be more biologically active than compositions produced by roomtemperature mixing.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is thought that heating themetal particles to incandescence may alter their surface architecture insuch a manner as to increase their surface area available for coatingand also may alter their electrical characteristics in such a manner asto increase their static capacitance. However, improved mixing of themetal particles and the wax may contribute to the increasedeffectiveness of compositions that are made by heating and mixing.

Accordingly, other methods that alter (e.g., increase) the surface areaof metal particles and/or alter (e.g., increase) the mixing and/orcoating of the metal particles with the coating material are expected toalter (e.g., increase) the biological properties of compositions of theinvention. Using the present description, one of ordinary skill canidentify and select appropriate methods for preparing compositions ofthe invention with desirable (e.g., optimal) properties for a particularapplication and/or organism.

Example 4

An elemental metal composition of the invention may be activated (e.g.,treated in a way that increases its ability to be charged) by activatingthe elemental metal(s) before and/or after mixing with a suitablecoating material. Activating may be achieved, for example, using one ormore of the following methods, heating (e.g., heating the metal and/orcomposition to incandescence); exposing the metal and/or composition toan electrostatic field (e.g., a Tesla coil); exposing the metal and/orcomposition to friction; exposing the metal and/or composition tosunlight; and/or other suitable activating methods such as exposure toair or to a negative ion generator.

Activating may be performed during the manufacturing process, and/orafter the composition is manufactured. For example, charging/activatingmay be performed before and/or after packaging, and/or before and/orafter storage, and/or before and/or after first use, and/or beforeand/or after any subsequent use.

Example 5

Compositions of the invention were used to treat chronic osteoarthritisof the cervical spine, chronic post traumatic pain of the rotator cuff,and post surgical (spinal stenosis) lumbosacral pain, with complicationsof distal digital extremity relative anesthesia.

A 78-year-old woman (subject) has a five-year history of degenerativejoint disease (osteoarthritis) in both the lumbosacral and cervicalspine and left rotator cuff, the latter due to an old injury. Subjectivesymptoms include chronic, end of day pain, radiating in her left arm andleg, and relative anesthesia in her distal left foot and toes as well asin the ulnar nerve projections (smallest two fingers) of her left hand.Subject requires daily oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicationand Tylenol as well as daily physical therapy and exercise to diminishher symptoms of pain. The anesthesia is chronic and unchanging.

A 6 inch by 12 inch, ½ inch thick pad of compound was prepared (mixturecomponents: 30% iron, 20% zinc, 10% copper, 10% aluminum, wax 25%,petrolatum 5%), knitted together with aluminum screening (to give thepad structure and act as a conductor), which was enclosed in afiberglass mesh and then covered by wool felt and an inner layer ofworsted wool (to keep the oily material from breaking apart and“bleeding through”). This pad was placed on a chair behind her lumbarregion where she sat. As well as compound “discs” made with the samemetals and just wax (no petroleum or lanolin so it is firm at roomtemperature). These “discs” were less than ½ thick and 3 inches by sixinches, and then “shaped” through warming on a heating pad to snug “fit”over her neck and shoulder. These fitted discs were placed in cottonsleeves and wrapped over the cervical neck region and shoulder.

An experiment began at 4 PM, the usual time of onset of symptoms. To ourpleasant surprise, the subject reported within 45 minutes of applicationher shock that sensations were returning to the usually anesthetizedtoes and fingers, (the restored sensations have continued intermittentlysince the onset of the experiment as long as the subject continued touse the apparatus). Sensation returned to relative anesthesia when theexperimental protocol was stopped. The subject also reported a delay anddecrease of intensity of her end of day pain more in her leg than arm.She continued to use the pads for 3-4 hours and found she did not “run”to the medicine cabinet for her pain medications, and took half herusual amount of medication over the following weeks of experimental useof 3-4 hours of daily use minimum.

Example 6

Compositions of the invention were used to treat an 85-year-old man witha ten-year history of metastatic prostate cancer known to haveosteo-metastatic lesions throughout the body. The subject complains ofposterior cervical neck pain with some radiation down the arms for sixmonths duration. We do not know if the source of this pain iscarcinogenic, or degenerative arthritic or discogenic. He placed discsof the formulation as described above in the form of “discs withincotton” cloth to hang over the painful neck region 4 hours daily. Henoted no particular changes in pain symptoms or analgesic medicationusage for two weeks. At the end of the two-week experimental period henoted the pain somewhat quickly disappear over a few hours. The painreportedly has not returned for at least eight subsequent weeks. He hasdiscontinued regular pharmaceutical analgesic usage for his cervicalpain.

Example 7

The physical properties of a composition of the invention (e.g.,capacitance; electrostatic field effect; electromagnetic field effect;charge; etc.) may be measured using any suitable method. The measuredphysical properties of a composition of the invention may be used toevaluate its biological effectiveness and determine which application(s)it may be suited for. In addition, the measured physical properties of acomposition may be used to determine how to modify a composition tochange its physical properties and adapt it for a particular biologicalapplication.

The following non-limiting method was used to measure electrostaticproperties of certain compositions of the invention.

Electroscope Measurement Protocol:

A Kolbe type “rigid arm pointer” electroscope was used with a terminalwith cross bores for 4 mm plug and case earth grounding. Scale segmentswere marked for timed measurement of “discharge time” per segment with astopwatch. A specific segment was chosen for each series and comparisonmeasurement consistent with the electroscopes capacity to hold a chargefor the conditions of the environment at that time.

Stopwatch measurements were taken visually with elapsed time unknown tothe operator at initialization and termination of each specific segmenttime measurement. Experimental use of this protocol under controlconditions resulted in an experimental error of less than 10%.

A Plexiglas rod rubbed on human hair was used as a source of chargingwith “negative” static electrical charge.

Known parameters that affect electroscopic discharge rate include thetime of day (diurnal variation), the season of the year, ambientconditions such as ambient humidity, current weather conditions, as wellas the electrodynamic effects of any electronic equipment that mayinduce local fields.

To minimize experimental errors caused by these parameters, thefollowing measurements were obtained contiguously, and all test compounddata (e.g., inert-wax, iron, zinc and active-compound, etc.) werecompared with other data obtained immediately after each othermeasurement rather than with data from another time or day.

Measurement Data:

Indirect electrostatic and direct electrostatic field effects weremeasured for two compounds: compound #3 and compound #5. Compound #3contained, 29.6% iron, 25.6% zinc, 25.6% beeswax, and 19.2% lanolin (allas a % weight). Compound #3 was prepared by tumbling at room temperaturefor a week (using shredded wax and the other components). Compound #5contained, 30% iron, 25% zinc, 25% beeswax, and 20% lanolin (all as a %weight). Compound #5 was prepared by melting the beeswax and adding thelanolin and iron/zinc mixture and mixing until solidified.

Indirect Electrostatic “Field Effect”

A composition of the invention was placed on a felt-backed wirestructure surrounding the electroscope body and the discharge wascompared to ambient discharge:

Trial # 1. Trial ambient: test material (average of three readingseach):

Ambient-without test material: 116 seconds

With test compound # 3: 144 seconds

The results show a 24% increase in discharge time due to the “fieldeffect” of substance # 3.

Trial # 2. Trial ambient conditions: compound #3: inert beeswax:

Ambient-without test material: 627 seconds

With compound # 3: 1321 Seconds

With inert bees-wax: 740 seconds

The results show a 111% increase in discharge time due to the “fieldeffect” of compound # 3.

“Direct Electrostatic Effect”

An aluminum electrode was placed into the same volume of compound orinert material “directly” (conductive contact with electroscopeelectrode) and the other end of the aluminum electrode was placed intothe electrode pole of the Kolbe electroscope, thereby measuringcomparative discharge times of the same segments continuously over time.

Trial # 1. Comparing the discharge times of compounds #3 and #5:

Compound #3: 64 seconds

Compound #5: 31 seconds

The results show that compound # 3 discharge time is 106% greater thancompound # 5 immediately after compound # 5 is manufactured.

Trial # 2. Comparing the multiple trial charging characteristics of purebees wax versus the charging characteristics of compound # 5:

Wax discharge time remains the same over multiple (2) charge anddischarge events.

Compound # 5 increased discharge time by 172% with second (2) chargingcycle.

Trial # 3. Comparing the multiple trial charging characteristics of purebees wax versus the charging characteristics of compound # 5:

Wax discharge time remains within 10% of its own discharge time overmultiple (6 times) trials of charging and discharging.

Compound # 5 increases discharge time of 398% over its own originaldischarge time with multiple (6 times) charging and discharging.

Trial # 4. Comparing the charging characteristics of pure Iron and Zincdust alone:

Iron dust (21 seconds)

Zinc dust (43 seconds)

The results show that iron discharges about twice as fast as zinc.However, discharge is stable over multiple charging and dischargingcycles of both compounds.

These results show that compounds with biological activity arecharacterized by a measurable field effect as evidenced by an increasein “static electrical tension” when the electroscope discharge time isquantified. Compound # 3 and #5″s “electrical tension” is greater thanthe natural environmental and inert beeswax discharge time. This can bedemonstrated through an indirect field effect and through a directelectrical connection with the Kolbe electroscope.

In certain embodiments of the invention, compounds may be exposed to an“activation” process after manufacture in order to obtain an energeticeffect. Activation may occur spontaneously over time, with theapplication of a secondary electrostatic charge, and/or throughinteraction with a biological system. This “activation” was illustratedthrough direct electrostatic measurements of compound # 3 discharge timethat was 52% greater than compound # 5 immediately after compound # 5 ismanufactured. Measurements taken immediately after manufacture (in theabsence of an activation step during manufacture) did not show anysignificant differences in electroscopic charge characteristics.Accordingly, certain compositions may become charged over time.

The results also show that compounds of the invention may have anelectrostatic charging property of “increasing” capacitance with serialcycles of “charging and discharging.” This property was not observed forany of the primary substances that were used to prepare the activecomposition. The primary (inert) substances showed a stable capacitancewith serial cycles of “charging and discharging.”

Example 8

Compositions of the invention may be added to poultices, ointments, orother preparations in order to enhance their therapeutic effects.

In one embodiment, a poultice is a raw or mashed herb applied directlyto the body (it may be applied wet directly to the body) or encased in aclean cloth and then applied. Poultices are used, for example, to healbruises, putrid sores, soothe abrasions, or withdraw toxins from anarea. They may be applied hot or cold, depending on the health need.Cold poultices (and compresses) may be used to withdraw the heat from aninflamed or congested area. A hot poultice or compress may be used torelax spasms and for some pains. To make a poultice, fresh or driedherbs that have been soaked in boiling water until soft may be used.They may be mixed with enough slippery elm powder to make the poulticestick together. The poultice may be placed on an affected body part thatis then wrapped with a clean cloth. According to aspects of theinvention, elemental metal(s) and/or coating(s) of the invention may bemixed with the poultice during and/or after poultice preparation inorder to produce a poultice that also has a therapeutic “field effect.”In one embodiment, the poultice preparation itself may be sufficient toprovide a coating according to aspects of the invention.

In one embodiment, an ointment is a soothing, healing, slightly oily orfatty substance into which the essence of a healing plant has beendissolved. This may be accomplished by heating the fat or oil with theplant until it loses its normal color and the oil or fat has absorbedthe healing chemical principles. The plant then may be strained out.Preservatives such as drops of tincture of benzoin, poplar bud tincture,or glycerin are optional additions. Ointments may be prepared in smallbatches and kept tightly closed with paraffin wax so that they don'tdecompose. Pork lard is a traditional folk, herbal, and pharmaceuticalbase for ointments. It may be purified by simmering and straining. Itmay have healing abilities even without the addition of herbs, like manyfats and oils. Purified, liquefied anhydrous lanolin also may be used asa base for ointments. Lanolin is a substance washed from the wool ofsheep. It is available in many levels of purity and its properties mayvary depending on the product. This oil may be considered to be theclosest to skin oil. Almond oil, cocoa butter, wheat germ, and vitamin Emay be used as neutral bases for ointments. In some embodiments,Vaseline may be used. Any of the oils/fats described herein may be usedalone or in combination. Ointments typically contain at least onesubstance that can thicken the final product. Lanolin may be used as athickener. Similarly, cocoa butter may be used as a thickener. However,other thickeners may be used. For example, other thickeners may beglycerin, honey, liquid lecithin, etc. However, these thickeners arestickier than lanolin or cocoa butter. Alternatively or additionally,various powdered resins and/or gum may be used to thicken an ointment.They typically swell up when first soaked in cold water and thensimmered in gently boiling water (after which they may be added to apreparation). Other thickeners may be agar-agar, Irish moss, seaweedthickeners, etc. Fruit pectin (e.g., from green apples) also may be used(e.g., alone or in addition to one or more other thickeners), forexample, to thicken creams and ointments. An ointment also may includeone or more hardeners in addition to thickeners. Beeswax is a usefulhardener. Paraffin wax also may be used (alone or in combination withbeeswax and/or other hardener). According to aspects of the invention,elemental metal(s) and/or coating(s) of the invention may be mixed withthe ointment during and/or after ointment preparation in order toproduce an ointment that also has a therapeutic “field effect.” In oneembodiment, the ointment preparation itself may be sufficient to providea coating according to aspects of the invention.

It should be appreciated that in addition to, or instead of, thepoultice or ointment components described above, other natural and/orsynthetic components may be used to prepare poultices or ointments ofthe invention.

1. A biologically active elemental metal composition comprising: aparticulate elemental metal and a coating material, wherein the coatingmaterial is disposed around at least a fraction of the surface area ofthe particulate elemental metal.
 2. The composition of claim 1, whereinthe coating material is a semi-conducting material. 3.-8. (canceled) 9.A biologically active elemental metal composition comprising: anelemental metal and a non-conducting material, wherein thenon-conducting material is disposed around at least a portion of theelemental metal. 10.-22. (canceled)
 23. The composition of claim 9,wherein the elemental metal is in a particulate form.
 24. (canceled) 25.The composition of claim 23, wherein the particulate form of theelemental metal has an average size range of about 1 mm, about 1 micron,or about 1 run.
 26. The composition of claim 9, comprising two or moreelemental metals. 27.-28. (canceled)
 29. The composition of claim 9,comprising iron.
 30. The composition of claim 9, comprising zinc. 31.The composition of claim 9, comprising aluminum.
 32. The composition ofclaim 9, comprising copper.
 33. The composition of claim 29, furthercomprising zinc.
 34. The composition of claim 33, wherein the ratio ofiron to zinc is between 1000:1 and 1:1000.
 35. The composition of claim29, further comprising aluminum.
 36. The composition of claim 35,wherein the ratio of iron to aluminum is between 1000:1 and 1:1000. 37.The composition of claim 29, further comprising copper.
 38. Thecomposition of claim 37, wherein the ratio of iron to copper is between1000:1 and 1:1000.
 39. The composition of claim 9, comprising a mixtureof iron, zinc, copper, and aluminum.
 40. The composition of claim 18,wherein the organic material is a wax. 41.-50. (canceled)
 51. A methodof preparing a biologically active capacitor composition, the methodcomprising mixing an elemental metal and a coating material, wherein themixing is sufficient to cause the non-conducting material to coat atleast a portion of the elemental metal. 52.-57. (canceled)
 58. A shapeddevice containing a biologically-active capacitor composition of claim 1or
 9. 59. A pouch containing a biologically-active capacitor compositionof claim 1 or
 9. 60.-70. (canceled)
 71. A medical bandage comprising abiologically-active elemental metal composition of claim 1 or
 9. 72.-84.(canceled)
 85. A method of treating a skin condition, the methodcomprising contacting a biologically-active elemental metal compositionof claim 1 or 9 to a region of skin affected by a skin condition in asubject. 86.-93. (canceled)
 94. A method of treating pain, the methodcomprising contacting a biologically-active elemental metal compositionof claim 1 or 9 to a body surface near a painful region in a subject.95.-119. (canceled)